Shahid Afridi and James Vince swap Multan Sultans for Quetta Gladiators ahead of PSL 7

Iftikhar Ahmed has also joined the two-time champions, who finish bottom of the table during the sixth edition. Azam Khan has meanwhile joined Islamabad United

Shahid Afridi will sign off his Pakistan Super League career at Quetta Gladiators after leaving defending champions Multan Sultans.

James Vince will also join Moin Khan's side for the seventh edition of the competition. As part of the move, the Sultans will take the Gladiators' diamond and silver round picks in Sunday's (December 12) player draft.

Both players were part of the Sultans squad for the 2021 tournament but did not return for the second half of the competition in the United Arab Emirates, as the Sultans scooped their maiden title.

Afridi, who plans for next term to be his final PSL season, is bound for his fourth different franchise in seven campaigns.

"I am excited to join Quetta Gladiators, a side that has had a roller-coaster ride in the past few events despite winning the title in 2019," said the 46-year-old. "In my final HBL PSL event, it will my dream and wish to sign off with another HBL PSL trophy after tasting success with Peshawar Zalmi in 2017."

TRADE ALERTS🚨
1) @SAfridiOfficial moves to @TeamQuetta
2) @vincey14 moves to @TeamQuetta
3) @IftiAhmed221 moves to @TeamQuetta
4) @MAzamKhan45 moves to @IsbUnited

Scene on ho raha hai!

What do you make of these trades?
Read more:https://t.co/wLOKoSvz41#HBLPSL7 #HBLPSLDraft pic.twitter.com/tWCfcLhRtH

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 9, 2021

Gladiators, winners in 2019 but who finished bottom of last season's table, have also picked up Iftikhar Ahmed.

The allrounder has been traded for Azam Khan, who has moved to Islamabad United.

Ahmed added: “It has been a difficult decision to move from Islamabad United, but looking ahead to my future in T20 cricket that is linked to the Pakistan team, I thought this was the best move. 

"I am grateful to the Islamabad United management for their support and understanding, as they have continued to stand behind me in all my decisions."

The moves come ahead of the deadline for the six franchises to confirm which eight players they are retaining from last season.

Teams have until December 10 to ratify part of their squads for the new campaign before the player draft two days later in Lahore.